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About Mary

Mary Penich, a retired teacher and administrator, has published more than 1000 weekly reflections in the St. Paul the Apostle Messenger in addition to articles in the Family Time pull-out of the Lake County News-Sun Newspaper and the Carmelite Review Magazine. Mary published her first children's book I DON'T LIKE MICE in 2009 and her second, OH NO! IT'S THURSDAY!, in 2011. She has also published three daily devotionals, SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT... FOR LENT, SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT... FOR CHRISTMASTIME AND WINTER DAYS, and SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT... FOR LENT AND EASTERTIME. Mary appreciates every opportunity to share her life experiences and faith journey through her writing with both children and adults. Mary, a native of Chicago, now resides in Gurnee, Illinois.

Seasoned With Peace

Suddenly, without warning, Jesus stood before them and said, “Peace!”Matthew 28:9

It’s September and the official first day of autumn is only week’s away. I admit to smiling over the approach of this new season. Though my absolute favorite meteorological phenomenon is snow, I’m anxious to see the colorful array of fall colors which promise to awe all who will take the time to look their way. Eventually, those leaves will give way to the wind and cold. They’ll find their places over the soil. There they will lie in wait for their new work of fertilizing the fruits of springtime.

My autumn musing hints at the expectation of the two Marys who went to Jesus’ tomb on that first Easter morning. Since Passover and the Sabbath had passed, they were free to tend to Jesus’ body which was buried quickly due to the holy days. I wish I had been there when they arrived to find that the stone had been rolled away and that Jesus was gone. I wish I had been at Mary Magdalene’s side there to hear Jesus say, “Peace!”

No, I don’t have my seasons mixed up and I do realize that Easter is two seasons away. Still, we must never forget the promise of that day. When Jesus greeted Mary with “Peace!”, he intended this sentiment to echo through two millenniums and then some to you and me!

Dear God, help me always to remember that your gift of peace is offered every day of every season to us all.